Portable hair dryer system

ABSTRACT

A portable carrier for a hair dryer comprises a receptacle adapted to receive the hair dryer and one or more straps facilitating carrying of the portable carrier by a user. The portable carrier contains ventilation netting on a portion intended to cover air intake vents of the hair dryer. Openings are provided in the carrier to accommodate hair dryer cords and plugs. The hair dryer is preferably of a turtle shell shape and is powered by rechargeable batteries and remote controlled.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/019,880, filed on Jan. 9, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable hair dryer system.

2. Description of Related Art

Attempts to make hair dryer systems portable are in principle known inthe art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,190; U.S. Pat. No.5,857,262; U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,116; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,096,597. Allthese systems suffer one or more obvious disadvantages. They are toobulky, too complicated or lacking in flexibility and versatility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves these problems by providing a novel carrierfor the heater/blower component of a hair dryer, wherein the novelcarrier comprises:

a) a receptacle having an interior space adapted to removably receive aheater/blower component of a hair dryer, wherein the receptaclecomprises:

-   -   i) ventilation netting material on at least a portion of the        receptacle intended to cover an air intake vent of the        heater/blower; and    -   ii) one or more hose openings adapted to receive an external        hose of the hair dryer; and

b) at least one strap attached to the receptacle for facilitatingcarrying of the portable carrier by a user thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a combination ofthe novel carrier and a heater/blower component contained in saidreceptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference tothe drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of the front view of a female user carrying theinventive carrier on her front. The carrier has two straps permittingthe carrier to be worn like a backpack. The carrier contains, forexample, a turtle shell dryer. The carrier has ventilation netting onthe portion that covers the air intake vent of the turtle shell dryer. Ahose from the turtle shell dryer exits the carrier at the top and adistal end of the hose is attached to a bonnet worn atop the user'shead. On the left-side of the carrier, an external remote control unitfor the turtle shell dryer is held in the user's hand. The remotecontrol unit is attached to the turtle shell dryer by a cord that passesthrough an adapted opening in the carrier.

FIG. 2 shows the carrier with a single strap being slung over the user'sshoulder.

FIG. 3 shows the carrier with two straps being worn on the user's back.

In the figures, the reference numerals represent the following features:

-   -   1 inventive carrier    -   2 cord to remote control unit    -   3 strap(s)    -   4 hood/bonnet    -   5 hose    -   6 zipper    -   7 pocket    -   8 ventilation    -   9 center use hose portal    -   10 right use hose portal    -   11 remote control unit

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The portable carrier according to the present invention can be composedof any suitable material, but is preferably composed at least in part ofheat-resistant material. In a preferred embodiment, the heat-resistantmaterial comprises nylon/denier.

The portable carrier has at least one hose opening. Preferably, theportable carrier has a plurality of the hose openings to allowversatility in the positioning of the hose.

The portable carrier typically has one or two straps. When one strap isemployed, the portable carrier can be worn by the user as a sling. Whenthe portable carrier has two straps, these can be positioned so that theportable carrier can be worn by the user as a backpack. In thisconfiguration, of course, the user can also make use of only one of thetwo straps, slinging the one strap in use over one shoulder.

In a preferred embodiment, the hair dryer is controlled by a remotecontrol unit. The control may be wireless or wired. In the event thecontrol is wired, the portable carrier can be provided with one or moreadapted openings to receive wires passing between the remote controlunit and the heater/blower component.

The heater/blower component may be powered by AC current or batteries.For maximum portability, batteries, especially rechargeable batteries,are preferred. The portable carrier can be provided with one or moreadapted openings to receive a cord connecting a rechargeable batterypack contained in the heater/blower component to a recharging powersource. Alternatively, the portable carrier can be provided with one ormore adapted openings to receive a cord connecting the heater/blowercomponent to an electrical outlet, for example, a wall outlet.

For storing accessories, the portable carrier can be provided with atleast one storage compartment on an outside surface or an inside surfaceof the receptacle.

The interior space of the receptacle is preferably sealable, forexample, with a zipper or with VELCRO® (mating hook and loop material).

The portable carrier can be designed to accommodate any suitable hairdryer shape. In a preferred embodiment, the heater/blower component hasa turtle shell shape.

The present invention has many clear advantages:

Hood/Bonnet drying is a longer drying process, but has been long thoughtto be easier on the hair than the direct heat of a blow dryer. Manyconsumers realize the damaging effects of blow drying hair; however,they use this method out of the desire to spend less time in the hotbathroom. Some users prefer the look of blown dry hair. However, manyhairstylists have developed methods to create a blown dry look with theuse of a hood drying method.

From an everyday/household use perspective, the present invention allowsthe user the freedom of movement to do any activities normally donewhile wearing a back/pack or sling.

From a salon or fitness facility point of view, clients will be able tomove or be taken to other locations about the salon, thus being easilyaccommodated for additional services like manicures, pedicures, andmakeup and some aesthetic treatments.

From a healthcare/hospital perspective, patients (especially theelderly, wheelchair bound or physically compromised) could have theirhair needs completed while remaining in a comfortable position.

From a hotel/cruise ship travel perspective, patrons who prefer to relaxor prepare for business meetings can do so outside of the confines of atypically smaller bathroom, and without having to be tied to limitationsof the dryer cord.

From a camping and/or limited-electrical access point of view, users canbenefit from a styling/drying method without the need of an electricaloutlet.

While the present invention has been described in conjunction with thespecific embodiments set forth above, many alternatives, modificationsand other variations thereof will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art. All such alternatives, modifications and variations areintended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A portable carrier for a hair dryer comprising: a) a receptaclehaving an interior space adapted to removably receive a heater/blowercomponent of a hair dryer, said receptacle comprising: i) ventilationnetting material on at least a portion of the receptacle intended tocover an air intake vent of said heater/blower; and ii) one or more hoseopenings adapted to receive an external hose of said hair dryer; and b)at least one strap attached to said receptacle for facilitating carryingof the portable carrier by a user thereof.
 2. The portable carrieraccording to claim 1, which is composed at least in part ofheat-resistant material.
 3. The portable carrier according to claim 2,wherein the heat-resistant material comprises nylon/denier.
 4. Theportable carrier according to claim 1, which comprises a plurality ofsaid hose openings.
 5. The portable carrier according to claim 1, whichhas one strap allowing the portable carrier to be slung over theshoulder of a user.
 6. The portable carrier according to claim 1, whichhas two straps allowing the portable carrier to be carried on the backor chest of a user with one strap being positioned over each shoulder ofsaid user.
 7. The portable carrier according to claim 1, which furthercomprises at least one additional opening adapted to receive a cordconnecting a remote control unit for said hair dryer to saidheater/blower component when contained in said receptacle.
 8. Theportable carrier according to claim 1, which further comprises at leastone additional opening adapted to receive a cord connecting arechargeable battery pack contained in said heater/blower component to arecharging power source or connecting said heater/blower component to anelectrical outlet.
 9. The portable carrier according to claim 1, whichfurther comprises at least one storage compartment on an outside surfaceor an inside surface of said receptacle.
 10. The portable carrieraccording to claim 1, wherein said interior space is sealable.
 11. Theportable carrier according to claim 10, wherein said interior space isrendered sealable by means of a zipper.
 12. The portable carrieraccording to claim 10, wherein said interior space is rendered sealableby means of mating hook and loop material.
 13. A combination comprising:a) the portable carrier according to claim 1; and b) a heater/blowercomponent contained in said receptacle.
 14. The combination according toclaim 13, which further comprises a hose connected on one end to saidheater/blower component and emanating through one of said hose openings.15. The combination according to claim 14, wherein said hose isconnected on its other end to a bonnet.
 16. The combination according toclaim 13, wherein the heater/blower is controlled by a remote controlunit.
 17. The combination according to claim 16, wherein the remotecontrol unit is attached to the heater/blower by a cord and the cordpasses through said adapted opening for said cord.
 18. The combinationaccording to claim 13, wherein the heater/blower component is powered byrechargeable batteries.
 19. The combination according to claim 13,wherein the heater/blower component has a turtle shell shape.
 20. Acombination comprising: a) a receptacle having an interior space adaptedto removably receive a heater/blower component of a hair dryer, saidreceptacle comprising: i) ventilation netting material on at least aportion of the receptacle intended to cover an air intake vent of saidheater/blower; and ii) one or more hose openings adapted to receive anexternal hose of said hair dryer; b) at least one strap attached to saidreceptacle for facilitating carrying of the portable carrier by a userthereof; c) a heater/blower component contained in said receptacle; d) ahose connected on one end to said heater/blower component, said hoseemanating through one of said hose openings; e) a bonnet attached tosaid hose at its other end; f) a remote control unit operably linked tosaid heater/blower component; and g) a rechargeable battery power sourcefor powering said heater/blower component.